Queensland Reds fly the flag, NSW Waratahs make finals as Blues take Rugby Tens title

The Queensland Reds flew the flag for Australian rugby on the final day of the Global Tens in Brisbane, upsetting the defending champions Chiefs to break the long, frustrating duck of Australian sides against Kiwi Super Rugby opponents.

Even if it was a shorter format and minus almost all of the topline talent, at least the Reds were able to get one on the board. Their 19-7 victory was the first time any Australian side had beaten a New Zealand franchise since the Rebels beat the Chiefs in the first game of this tournament last year.

Outnumbered: James Tuttle takes the ball forward in the Reds' semi-final loss to the Blues.

Photo: AAP

What will it all mean? Who knows ... but at least it was a seed sprouting in what has been a barren wasteland of results. After looking ordinary in their first match of the weekend, the Reds impressed new coach Brad Thorn to earn themselves a shot at eventual champions the Blues, who crossed late through George Moala to take the Tens title from the Hurricanes 10-7.

Queensland's win over the Chiefs didn't come without a pair of exceedingly fortunate decisions, both resulting in tries to Angus Blyth. The first appeared to be a dropped ball over the line amid a pile of bodies, while the second was awarded despite Blyth clearly touching the sideline before slamming it down.

Line ball: Alex Fidow of the Hurricanes scores a try in the Tens Final against the Blues.

Photo: AAP

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"A couple of meat pies, it was good. Right place, right time but it was good to get over the line," Blyth said. "I think we're just learning every game, getting faster and physical. We're improving."

The Blues and the Crusaders were the standout teams through the pool matches and the Waratahs had the chance to meet the latter if they had beaten the Hurricanes.

It was a promising enough start but the Canes surged back, pouring on the points before and after the half-time break to eliminate NSW 35-24, despite NSW showing plenty of signs of promise across the weekend.

"I was honestly a bit of a passenger," said wildcard Drew Mitchell, who had to play with a hamstring tear as the Tahs suffered a series of minor injuries. "There were a couple of lapses of concentration... they're a good side and they will go deep in this competition."

Eyes on the prize: Izaia Perese of the Reds covets the try line during their win against the Chiefs to break a year-long Australian drought.

Photo: AAP

Added Tahs coach Daryl Gibson: "I thought there was a period just after half-time where they scored easily off that restart. That was the difference.

"I think it was a really valuable experience for all of our young guys, to give them this level of competition this early."

Direct: Irae Simone attempts to bust through the Chiefs' defensive line at Suncorp Stadium.

Photo: AAP

The final was a more conservative affair than most of the tournament play. Both teams clearly wanted the result and the Blues were elated with their last-gasp victory, with players streaming onto the field to celebrate the title in front of nearly 20,000 fans.

While the Reds made it through, the Brumbies and Rebels were bounced out early. The Hurricanes did the damage in a tight contest against the Brumbies, taking their final pool match 12-10, while the Rebels were cannon fodder for the Blues to the tune of 29-7.

Closing the gap: Matt Mason of the Waratahs dives over to score against the Chiefs.

Photo: AAP

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But it looked as if all of the quarter-finalists were playing for the minor spoils, with the Blues sailing through without a defeat and defending Super Rugby champions the Crusaders in scintillating form.

The Crusaders put the finishing touches on their pool games with a 17-0 win over Fiji. They moved into the semi-finals having conceded just seven points in three matches, a wonderful effort given the regular 20-plus scorelines of many of the matches.

Grasping: Luteru Laulala of the Chiefs has the Waratahs at sives and sevens.